Assay for trichothecenes

Abstract

An immunoassay for trichothecenes that have at least three hydroxyl groups at specified positions is disclosed. It relies on developing antibodies to close trichothecene variants that are missing at least one of the hydroxyl groups, and then using these antibodies to test specimens in which the trichothecene has been converted to the variant (usually to the OAC variant). For example, DON and T-2 tetraol can be assayed for using this invention.

We claim: 
     
       1. An assay kit comprising an antibody capable of binding to a first trichothecene, the first trichothecene having at least three acetate groups at the R 1  -R 5  positions, the first trichothecene having the formula: ##STR1## the kit also comprsing a marker selected from the group consisting of a radioactively labelled trichothecene that the antibody will also bind to and an enzyme. 
     
     
       2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the antibody is capable of binding to Tri-Ac-DON and the marker is a radioactively labelled trichothecene that the antibody also will bind to. 
     
     
       3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the antibody is capable of bidning to TA-nivalenol and the marker is a radioactively labelled trichothecene that the antibody also will bind to. 
     
     
       4. The kit of claim 1 wherein the antibody capable of bidning to T-2 tetraacetate and the marker is a radioactively labelled trichothecene that the antibody will also bind to. 
     
     
       5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit is an ELISA test kit for Tri-Ac-DON comprising an antibody capable fo binding to Tri-Ac-DON and an enzyme. 
     
     
       6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit is an ELISA test kit for TA-nivalenol comprising an antibody capable of binding to TA-nivalenol and an enzyme. 
     
     
       7. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit is an ELISA test kit for T-2 tetraacetate comprising an antibody capable of bidning to T-2 tetraacetate and an enzyme.